Not sure why, but I love these cheap watches.  I have several of them…..but I wear the black/blue “Batman” bezel one daily (the others I keep looking nice)…..it’s the one that hardly ever gets taken off.  I use it when I’m working on cars, welding, oil changes (I’ve replaced the nato band several times) just about everything.  I’ve had it around 2.5 years, and it’s had a rough life…but keeps on ticking.

Even though it’s been a great watch overall, there are some things I don’t like. I’ve read that the crystals on them scratch pretty easy, so I use those stick on clear covers and replace them when they start looking pretty rough. Also, I really don’t like the fact that unless you shine a light on them for a while, it’s about impossible to see the hands and hour indicators in the dark…they “glow”…but so faint, it’s about worthless. I actually use the rotating bezel quite often….but after a while it’s gotten pretty sloppy, gummy, and just doesn’t “click” as nice and sharp as it used to.

So…I’m looking for something a little higher quality, something that will still take some abuse, but a little nicer, a little easier to see at night, and something with a nicer bezel on it.

Any suggestions for something under $400?  Or is that not enough to get into something that's better quality?

ORIENT RAY II

Nice! Thanks.  

Almost looks identical to the Duro 200.

It's a bit smaller, and auto winds as your wrist moves. no battery needed.

VOSTOK, ORIENT, CASIO

Attached File

That would be nice. These DURO seem to need a new battery every couple of years.....I've gotten pretty good at swapping them out

Is there a pretty big difference in the Orient as far as fit and finish?  Does it glow brighter at night?

Citizen Promaster
here
They have several flavors 200m, solar

Wow...I like the looks of that!  Nice!  Thanks!

I can read mine for my 3am piss

Do a little searching and you may find them cheaper. The rubber strap does suck

Dive watch under $400 = Seiko.

Orient or Seiko

this. My 8 year old has been wearing his 5 sport for 2 years now, 24/7/365. He's a monster with it but it runs without drama, few scratches, and even though he's been swimming with the crown open, it runs fine still.

IMO the only way to beat a duro, is sapphire, ceramic bezel insert, and lume...

The orients look great. For example tho....citizen, really on beats in on lume IMO>.

Does Citizen use a different type of "glow" material?  What makes them glow better?

You could swap out the crystal for a double domed sapphire, update the bezel and get a bracelet for your casio very reasonably.

Crystal  $19

Bracelet  $13

Bezel   $45

Bezel 2  $45


Even the hands...
Hands  $1


Hands 2  $4


Some helpful info for a casio duro.
Movement: Miyota 2115
Bezel Size: Inner 32.8mm \ Outer 40.8mm
Watch Face 32.8mm
Chapter Ring: Inner 30.2mm \ Outer 32.6
Hand Sizes:
Hour 1.20mm
Min: 0.70mm
Second: 0.17mm

Check out addiesdive on aliexpress.  Good specs and super cheap.  Plus lume is great.